Outdoors

New mentored hunting law hits the target

With one hunting season in the books, state officials and conservation groups are calling Wisconsin's new mentored hunting law an unqualified success.

"We had good participation and, most importantly, an excellent safety record," said Randy Stark, chief conservation warden with the Department of Natural Resources.

After failed attempts in two previous legislative sessions to reduce the minimum hunting age in Wisconsin, a law allowing new hunters, including 10- and 11-year-olds, to "test drive" hunting became effective Sept. 1.

The law requires an adult mentor to be within arm's reach of the new hunter at all times; only one firearm can be present. The new hunter does not need to first pass a hunting safety course.

As a result, 10,564 10- and 11-year-olds were introduced to hunting last fall in Wisconsin, according to DNR statistics, and 13,271 mentored hunting licenses were sold overall.

Twenty percent of the new hunters were female.

Significantly, mentored hunters were not involved in any shooting incidents. One ticket was issued to an adult who was mentoring an adult hunter with two firearms present, Stark said.

Though the program was widely supported by conservation groups, some opponents cited safety concerns related to 10- and 11-year-olds handling firearms.

"The concept is to provide one-on-one mentoring and create a supervised situation that is very conducive to learning and safety," Stark said. "Humans are fallible, and that's not to say we won't have an accident at some point. But the program sets the stage for safety."

Stark said the program is fulfilling its goal to improve hunter recruitment. Whether it improves hunter retention remains to be seen.

Twenty-seven states have passed similar legislation since 2004, according to data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

"This program has been a good addition to Wisconsin," said Jack Nissen of Dousman, president of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, a vocal supporter of the law. "I'm confident it will continue to help us in our goal to safely recruit more hunters."

In addition to the spotless safety record, the program resulted in lots of happy hunting memories.

Rebecca Borowski, 10, of Raymond deer hunted for the first time in October near Mondovi. With her father, Rob, at her side, she made a perfect shot with a .243 and harvested an 11-point buck.

"I enjoyed this way more than if I would have shot it myself," said Rob Borowski, 44, an avid bowhunter.

Citing a long list of other youth activities, including "ball" sports, Borowski lauded the program allowing him to take his 10-year-old daughter hunting.

"She proved she was ready to handle a rifle," Borowski said. "If you don't reach them while they're young, you might lose your chance."

The program isn't just for kids - surveys show about 20% of new hunters enter the sport after the age of 20.

Although the DNR is still evaluating the first season's data, about 1,200 mentored hunters older than 12 participated in the gun deer hunt.

"This provides not just a way for new hunters to safely learn, but a way for experienced hunters to give back," Stark said.